On Tuesday, Sept. 22, the ASUW Senate was called to order by Vice President Kathyrne Carrier at 7:00 p.m.
The agenda for the night included a vote on two bills, a resolution, and for the body to consider President Brown’s Associate Justice nomination to the Judicial Council.
Aaron Courtney, the Director of Student Financial Services spoke to the chamber about the recent Board of Trustees decision to move forward with block tuition and the effect it will have on students.
According to the paper circulated by Director Courtney, it showed undergraduate and graduate tuition rates will increase across the board by 4%.
Undergraduate resident and undergraduate non-resident tuition per semester under block tuition will be “$2,490.00 and $10,380.00,” respectively, in the proposed 2023-24 academic year.
The Senate deliberated and voted on three pieces of legislation.
Senate Bill #2821: Codification of Guidelines for the ASUW Distance Student Scholarship.
The bill would codify already approved money for the scholarship and would make guidelines more clear, with the intention of ensuring that distance learning students are more accurately represented by the body. Passed.
Senate Bill #2822: Codification of the process for requesting changes to the ASUW fee.
The bill would codify and clarify the process of how departments, organizations, and other agencies that receive student fee dollars could request changes to the ASUW student fee.
The Senate budget and planning committee recommended a do-pass with amendments which were adopted unanimously by voice vote. Passed.
Senate Resolution #2825: Resolution on Laramie Housing Ordinance 8.80.010-8.80.070.
The resolution would support the Laramie City Council in efforts to appeal the recent decision by a judge to strike down the housing ordinance and would instead give renters a bill of rights and ensure local housing would have basic maintenance and accommodations. Passed.
The Senate proceeded to consider President Brown’s Associate Justice nomination to the Judicial Council after a vacancy opened.
The nominee Chandler Helvey is a first year law student who received his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University and shared his experiences that made him qualified for the position.
“I want to make sure the constitution and by-laws are being upheld and bills and resolutions are in line with the constitution of ASUW.” Hevley said.
Hevley was formerly the Vice President of his Spanish-speaking fraternity at BYU and served in Mexico for two years on a religious mission for his church. Additionally, he is a first year representative in the College of Law. Helvey’s nomination passed unanimously.
The next ASUW Senate meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 27. All students are welcome to attend.
